UUA and UUSC Send Letter to Obama Calling for Investigation of Torture

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) President Rev. William Sinkford and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) President and CEO Charlie Clements sent an open letter to President Barack Obama on April 28, 2009, advocating an investigation into U.S.-sponsored torture. Sinkford and Clements have endorsed the call from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) for a Commission of Inquiry, as has the UUA. The UUA is also inviting congregations to participate in this effort by signing-on as endorsing organizations.

“From our positions in the national religious and human rights movements, we have watched and read with horror, shame, and anger the new reports about atrocities committed by our country’s representatives in the name of national security. The accounts underscore the urgent need for action,” stated Sinkford and Clements. “We hope you will fully support ending all forms of U.S.-sponsored torture and help restore America’s tarnished image.”

“As we move to help restore our nation’s reputation, we will urge all of our political leaders, including members of Congress, to take strong measures to ensure an investigation marked by truth, full disclosure, and accountability,” Sinkford and Clements wrote. “For our part, we are encouraging Unitarian Universalist congregations to build on their history of advocacy by endorsing the NRCAT Call for a Commission of Inquiry. We also urge all constituents and supporters to step up the pressure on our national policymakers to ensure that ending all forms of torture or inhumane treatment remains a top priority of our national government.”

The Unitarian Universalist Association is a faith community of more than 1,000 self-governing congregations that bring to the world a vision of religious freedom, tolerance and social justice. For more information about the UUA, please visit our press room.